Women's Long Jumpers Make Final; 200m Runners Advance

August 19, 2008 from USATF press release (BEIJING China) Brittney Reese led three Americans in qualifying for the women's long jump final and all three women's 200m runners advanced in Tuesday morning action at the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium. Reese automatically qualified for Friday's long jump final on her second attempt of 6.87m/22-6.5, the best mark in the qualifying round. 2004 Olympic finalist Grace Upshaw (Los Altos Hills, CA) was sixth in qualifying with a best mark of 6.68m/21-11, and newcomer Funmi Jimoh (Stafford, TX) was 10th with 6.61m/21-8.25.

Allyson Felix (Los Angeles, CA), Muna Lee (College Station, TX) and Marshevet Hooker (Pfugerville, TX) won the first three heats, respectively, in women's 200m first-round action. Lee clocked the fastest time of the round, 22.71, while Felix ran 23.02 and Hooker 23.07.

The women's javelin throw brought less success as Kim Kreiner (Fresno, CA), suffering from a serious plantar fascia injury in her foot and noticeably limping, was 39th in qualifying with a best mark of 55.13m/180-10, and Kara Patterson (West Lafayette, IN) threw 54.39/178-5 to be 41st in qualifying.

DAY 5 Team USA Quotes - morning session

Women's 200m 1st round

Allyson Felix (Los Angeles, CA): "I'm just happy it's my time, finally. I felt comfortable. I just really wanted to win the heat."

Muna Lee (Kansas City, MO): "It was pretty good. I'm always working to get in. I feel pretty good. I think everybody is a little sluggish.

Marshevet Hooker (Pfugerville, TX): " I'm glad I got the first race out of the way. It's a great feeling. The crowd is great, the track's great. I loved it. It's like any other meet, just more people in the stands. I felt really well. I kept really relaxed. I have another round tonight and I have to keep that in mind."

Women's long jump qualifying

Britney Reese (University, MS): "It was good I scratched my first jump. The runway is real fast. I had to adjust and once I did, I pulled out a big one."

Grace Upshaw (Los Altos Hills, CA): "It went well. I got through, that's what matters. I was happy to get a fair jump for my first jump because a lot of people are having problems with fouling. On the second one we were just trying to be more aggressive coming into the board and to trust the run. The runway is really fast. I was forewarned by Hyleas (Fountain) and the male jumpers, so I was able to adjust."

Funmi Jimoh (Stafford, TX): "I feel really good that I made I through. I was so scared. I had to get the jitters out. It was a humongous crowd. I've never seen a crowd this big. My jump could have been better. It was just a 'put it all down, see what happens, make it to the final' jump.

Women's javelin qualifying

Kara Patterson (West Lafayette, IN): "I was kind of surprised at the tears that came into my eyes after my third throw. I can't be disappointed with being in the Olympic qualifying round, but that emotion shows me how competitive I am. I'm really excited to do a lot better in the future. I felt really good today, really good on the runway. It just didn't work out."

Kim Kriener (Fresno, CA): "The competition was good. It was very exciting, thrilling to be out there. I still wish I could have done better.

Two weeks before the Trials I pulled the plantar fascia off the bone. I've been ok since the trials, just taping it up a lot. I felt a pop on my first throw and more on my second. I couldn't put one together today. It's not an excuse for not throwing far, I still should have thrown farther today."

For more information on Team USA at the Olympic Games, including athlete quotes, event schedule, TV schedule and complete results, visit www.usatf.org